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UT McClung Museum to Host Free Archaeology Event

 

McClung Museum will host a day of programming and hands-on activities celebrating archeology 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– After a two-year hiatus, the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture will host a free, family-friendly event to celebrate International Archaeology Day. Families with children of all ages are invited to the museum for “Can You Dig It?” on October 16 from noon–4 p.m.    

Celebrated in mid-October, International Archaeology Day promotes awareness of the field of archeology through events and programming. The McClung Museum’s “Can You Dig It?” event welcomes the Knoxville community to connect with University of Tennessee faculty and students through a day of exploration and learning.    

The event will feature hands-on activities, crafts, displays, and educational booths led by UT departments, researchers, professors, and graduate students. Interactive stations will include cave art painting, hunter-gatherer games, and booths where guests can make their own pottery, perfumes, ancient Roman shields, and more.    

When the pandemic canceled in-person activities for “Can You Dig It?”, the McClung Museum distributed activity backpacks about archaeology to over 1000 students from Title I schools. This year, in addition to the event, the museum has partnered with the City of Knoxville’s Parks & Recreation Department to continue this initiative by distributing activity packs to Knox County students participating in Fall Break Camp at Cal Johnson Recreation Center.   

“It is truly exciting to bring back this event to the museum. We have combined the traditional aspects of ‘Can You Dig It?’ that the public has enjoyed for years, and the innovative outreach approach that was adopted during the pandemic,” said McClung Museum Curator of Education Leslie Chang-Jantz. “Through these new and established community partnerships, we hope to continue to promote scientific literacy, campus resources, and museum education.”     

“Can You Dig It?” is sponsored in part by Home Federal Bank, Tennessee Valley Authority, and UT Department of Anthropology.  

Additional support is provided by the East Tennessee Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America; Cultural Research Analysts; and the following UT departments and programs: Classics; History; Judaic Studies; Middle East Studies; Religious Studies; and the School of Art.    

“’Can You Dig It?’ is a great way to introduce kids of all ages to science, archeology, and the importance of history. It is a very hands-on event and a perfect play-based way to learn,” said Adele Sensing, Director of Marketing at Home Federal Bank. “We are very grateful to McClung Museum for also creating an at-home version of these activities for kids. It was something they started when we could not have in-person events. It has been so beneficial we all decided to keep it going.”  

“Can You Dig it?” is free to attend, but registrations are required. To register, please visit https://tiny.utk.edu/CanYouDigIt.  

About the McClung Museum  

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is at 1327 Circle Park Drive. Museum admission is free, and visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Visitors should register at tiny.utk.edu/visitmcclung and review the visitor guidelines, parking information, and check-in process.  

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If you would like more information, please contact Emily Reichard at ereichar@utk.edu